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Droopy
MGM Cartoons character
First appearanceDumb-Hounded (1943)
Created byTex Avery
Designed byIrving Levine[1]
Voiced byBill Thompson (1943, 1945, 1949–1958)
Tex Avery (1943, 1945–1946, 1955)[2][3]
Don Messick (1949–1950, 1956, 1989–1993)
Daws Butler (1955)[2][4]
Frank Welker (1980, 2002)
Richard Williams (1988–1989)
Corey Burton (1990–present)
Billy West (1996–1997)
Jeff Bergman (1999–2010, 2017–present)
Jeff Bennett (2002)
Maurice LaMarche (2003–2004)
Joe Alaskey (2004, 2010–2016)
Don Brown (2006)
Michael Donovan (2006–2007)
Joey D'Auria (2018)
(see below)
In-universe information
AliasHappy Hound
SpeciesDog (Basset Hound)
GenderMale
FamilyDrippy (twin brother)
Dripple (son)

Droopy is an animated character from the golden age of American animation. He is an anthropomorphic white Basset Hound with a droopy face. He was created in 1943 by Tex Avery for theatrical cartoon shorts produced by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio. Essentially the polar opposite of Avery's other MGM character, the loud and wacky Screwy Squirrel, Droopy moves slowly and lethargically, speaks in a jowly monotone voice, and—though hardly an imposing character—is shrewd enough to outwit his enemies. When finally roused to anger, often by a bad guy laughing heartily at him, Droopy is capable of beating adversaries many times his size with a comical thrashing.[5]

The character first appeared, nameless, in Avery's 1943 cartoon Dumb-Hounded. Though he was not called "Droopy" onscreen until his fifth cartoon, Señor Droopy (1949), the character was already named "Droopy" in model sheets for his first cartoon. He was officially first labeled "Happy Hound", a name used in the character's appearances in Our Gang Comics. He starred in 24 theatrical cartoons, ending in 1958 when MGM closed its cartoon department.[6] The character has been revived several times for new productions including films and television shows also featuring MGM's other famous cartoon stars, Tom and Jerry, either as their ally or adversary. He's also known to be the guider of Cartoon Network back when it first launched at October 1, 1992.[7]

In the cartoon Northwest Hounded Police, Droopy's last name was given as "McPoodle". In The Chump Champ, it was given as "Poodle". Nevertheless, Droopy is generally understood to be a Basset Hound.

History

[edit]

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

[edit]

Droopy first appeared in the MGM cartoon Dumb-Hounded, released on March 20, 1943. Droopy's first scene is when he saunters into view, looks at the audience, and declares, "Hello, all you happy people ... you know what? I'm the hero." In the cartoon, Droopy is tracking an escaped convict and is always waiting for the crook wherever he turns up. Avery had used a similar gag in his Merrie Melodies short Tortoise Beats Hare (1941) starring Bugs Bunny, which in turn was an expansion/exaggeration of the premise of his The Blow Out (1936) with Porky Pig. In fact, this cartoon shows that early ideas about Droopy's personality were already germinating, as that film's Cecil Turtle has similarities to Droopy.

Droopy's meek, deadpan voice and personality were modeled after the character Wallace Wimple on the radio comedy Fibber McGee and Molly; actor Bill Thompson, who played Wimple, was the original voice of Droopy. While Thompson's served in the US Navy during World War II, Droopy's voice was provided by other voice actors, including Don Messick, who reprised the role in the 1990s. Avery's preferred gag man Heck Allen said that Avery himself provided the voice on several occasions, and "You couldn't tell the difference."[8] Droopy himself was a versatile actor: he could play a Mountie, a cowboy, a deputy, an heir, or a Dixieland-loving everyday Joe with equal ease. The same voice was used for Big Heel-Watha in the Screwy Squirrel cartoon of the same name and for a Pilgrim who chases a turkey modeled after Jimmy Durante in Avery's 1945 short Jerky Turkey.

One of Droopy's more surprising traits is his incredible strength, given his diminutive stature and unassuming looks and personality, but this was usually reserved for when he was upset (with a few rare exceptions, where he very easily moved his adversary without harming him), at which time he would say in a monotone voice "You know what? That makes me mad" prior to thrashing the hapless villain of the piece. One such occasion was in Señor Droopy, where he did this to a bull. It happened again in One Droopy Knight, where a dragon was Droopy's victim. In the second case, he also broke the dragon's tail off and knocked him very far away with it like a baseball bat (apparently, it regenerated like a lizard's tail, given the unharmed dragon later became Droopy's servant/pet). This was also once done by a baby version of Droopy in the Western-themed short Homesteader Droopy. One example of Droopy showing his strength without being provoked was in The Chump Champ in which Spike (as "Gorgeous Gorillawitz") stuffs an anvil in a speed bag. Droopy easily punches the bag several times but when Spike takes a swipe at it, half of him shatters to the ground. Another running gag that occurred during many of Droopy's cartoons was whenever Droopy's adversaries chopped down a tree. As the tree started coming down and was about to crush the unsuspecting Droopy, the adversary would run far the opposite way, point to the sky, and shout, "TIM.....". Then, in a moment of surprise, the tree would change direction and end up crushing the adversary instead and he would finish by saying, ".....ber" while still pointing to the sky with a look of confusion on his face. In most of his cartoons, Droopy matches wits with either a slick anthropomorphic Wolf (the Wolf character "portrays" the crooks in both Dumb-hounded and its semi-remake, Northwest Hounded Police (1946)) or a bulldog named "Spike", sometimes silent, sometimes sporting a Gaelic accent. Two Droopy cartoons – The Shooting of Dan McGoo and Wild and Woolfy – also feature appearances from the curvy cutie of Avery's Red Hot Riding Hood (1943) as a damsel in distress being pursued by the Wolf. Three later Droopy cartoons –Three Little Pups (1953), Blackboard Jumble (1957), and Sheep Wrecked (1958) – feature a slow-moving southern wolf character. Voiced by Daws Butler in a dialect Butler later used for Hanna-Barbera's Huckleberry Hound, this wolf was a more deadpan character with a tendency to whistle "Kingdom Coming" (aka "Jubalio") to himself (much like Huckleberry would sing "Oh My Darling Clementine" to himself).

Avery took a year-long break from MGM from 1950 to 1951, during which time Dick Lundy took over his unit to do one Droopy cartoon, Caballero Droopy, and several Barney Bear cartoons. Avery returned in late 1951 and continued with Droopy and his one-shots until the Avery unit was dissolved by MGM in 1953. Michael Lah, an Avery animator, stayed on long enough to help William Hanna and Joseph Barbera complete Deputy Droopy after Avery had left the studio. Lah himself then left MGM, but returned in 1955 to direct CinemaScope Droopy cartoons costarring either Spike (now called Butch because of the same-named bulldog in Hanna and Barbera's Tom and Jerry cartoons) or the "Kingdom Coming"-whistling wolf. The opening title card was replaced with a newly drawn sequence in which Droopy gives his deadpan greeting: "Hello, all you happy people." Seven Droopy cartoons were created under the H-B production stable. One of these, One Droopy Knight (1957), was nominated for the 1957 Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons). However, by the time of One Droopy Knight's release in December 1957, the MGM cartoon studio had been closed for six months, a casualty of corporate downsizing.

Later appearances

[edit]

In 1980, Filmation produced a series of lower-budget Droopy shorts for television as part of its Tom and Jerry TV series The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show. In the 1990s Hanna-Barbera series Tom & Jerry Kids, Droopy had a young son named Dripple (voiced by Charlie Adler), an older version of the infant we see in Homesteader Droopy. The mild success of the show provided perhaps the most Droopy merchandise: plush toys, gummy snacks, figurines, etc. In 1993, Tom & Jerry Kids had a spin-off series, Droopy, Master Detective, which cast Droopy and son as film noir style detectives. Droopy also had cameos in two theatrical features: as an elevator operator in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (where he was voiced by the film's animation director Richard Williams), and in Tom and Jerry: The Movie. Droopy also had cameos in all three subsequent Disney-produced Roger Rabbit shorts, Tummy Trouble (again he's an elevator operator), Roller Coaster Rabbit (he plays a bad guy dressed as Snidely Whiplash), and Trail Mix-Up (he plays a scuba diver), and the 1992 animated TV special The Rosey and Buddy Show.[9] Droopy also appears in the 2006 cartoon series Tom and Jerry Tales, and has appeared in almost every Tom and Jerry direct-to-video movie, beginning with Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring, either as an ally or an enemy.

Droopy appeared on various Cartoon Network specials and bumpers throughout the 1990s. When the network launched on October 1, 1992, Droopy was the host of the special "Droopy's Guide to the Cartoon Network", which served as an orientation for the new channel.[10] In 1997, Droopy appeared in the faux cartoon blooper reel bumper Bloopers of the Cartoon Stars. Here, he says his signature line "I'm so happy" while actually smiling.[11]

In June 1999, Droopy appeared in a Cartoon Network short entitled Thanks a Latté, in which he works at a coffee shop and forces a stingy wolf into giving him a tip. In said short, the character is depicted with a bald head and was voiced by Jeff Bergman. The short aired on Cartoon Network's sister channel Boomerang until 2015. During the same period, Droopy was also featured in Adult Swim's Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law in the episode "Droopy Botox", voiced by Maurice LaMarche. He is seen seeking a settlement after a cosmetic surgeon injected him with too much botox (a running gag in this episode was the fact that Droopy was often seen crying despite having a huge grin frozen on his face, a reverse of the classic cartoons where a sad-faced Droopy often said, "You know what? I'm happy"). A memorable Cartoon Network promotional spot featured Droopy (voiced by Don Messick) and Shaggy from Hanna-Barbera's Scooby-Doo parodying a dialog scene between Jules and Vincent in Pulp Fiction.

A three-issue Droopy comic book miniseries was released in the mid-1990s by Dark Horse Comics.

Voice actors

[edit]

The following is the list of voice actors who have portrayed Droopy, the years they regularly voiced the character, and the films and/or television series they did the voice in:

Voiced by in unofficial material:

Filmography

[edit]

The Droopy cartoons were directed by Tex Avery (1943–1955), Dick Lundy (1952), Michael Lah (1955–1958) and William Hanna and Joseph Barbera (1956), at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio in Hollywood, California. All cartoons were released to theaters by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Fred Quimby was the producer of the first 17 cartoons from 1943 to 1955. Quimby retired in 1955 and from 1956 to 1958, Hanna and Barbera produced the cartoons until MGM closed the cartoon studio in 1957, and the last cartoon was released in 1958. Most of these cartoons were produced in the standard Academy ratio (1.37:1); seven cartoons were produced in widescreen CinemaScope format only.

Like any other studio, MGM reissued and edited its cartoons when re-released to theaters. Many pre-1951 cartoons were reissued with Perspecta Sound, which was introduced in 1954. MGM also reissued its cartoons before the introduction of Perspecta Sound. Because of the 1965 MGM vault fire, only backup prints of pre-1951 MGM cartoons exist.

Title Director(s) Producer(s) Credits Original release date Notes
Dumb-Hounded Tex Avery Fred Quimby March 20, 1943
The Shooting of Dan McGoo March 3, 1945
Wild and Woolfy November 3, 1945
Northwest Hounded Police August 3, 1946
Señor Droopy Story: Rich Hogan[19]

Animation: Grant Simmons, Walter Clinton, Bob Cannon, Michael Lah, Preston Blair[19]

Music: Scott Bradley[19]

April 9, 1949 Guest appearance of Lina Romay in a live-action sequence in the end.
Wags to Riches August 13, 1949 Remade as Millionaire Droopy (1956)
Out-Foxed November 5, 1949
The Chump Champ November 4, 1950
Daredevil Droopy[20] March 31, 1951
Droopy's Good Deed May 5, 1951
Droopy's Double Trouble November 17, 1951 Introduction of Droopy's twin brother, Drippy
Caballero Droopy Dick Lundy September 27, 1952 Only Droopy cartoon directed by Dick Lundy
The Three Little Pups Tex Avery December 26, 1953 Live-action sequence
Drag-a-Long Droopy February 20, 1954
Homesteader Droopy[20]: 72–73  July 10, 1954 Introduction of Droopy's infant son, Dripple (as Droopy Jr.)
Dixieland Droopy December 4, 1954
Deputy Droopy Tex Avery
Michael Lah 		October 28, 1955
Millionaire Droopy William Hanna
Joseph Barbera
Tex Avery 		William Hanna
Joseph Barbera 		September 21, 1956 CinemaScope remake of Wags To Riches. Tex Avery is given director credit as the cartoon retains the soundtrack and timing from Wags to Riches with revised animation and backgrounds. Only Droopy cartoon directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
Grin and Share It Michael Lah May 17, 1957 Produced in CinemaScope
Blackboard Jumble October 4, 1957
One Droopy Knight December 6, 1957 Produced in CinemaScope
Nominated–Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film[21]
Sheep Wrecked February 7, 1958 Produced in CinemaScope
Mutts About Racing April 4, 1958
Droopy Leprechaun July 4, 1958

Cameos

[edit]
Title Director(s) Producer(s) Original release date Notes
Who Framed Roger Rabbit June 22, 1988 Cameo
Tummy Trouble June 23, 1989
Roller Coaster Rabbit June 15, 1990
Trail Mix-Up March 12, 1993
Tom and Jerry: The Movie July 30, 1993
Tom & Jerry February 26, 2021

Home media

[edit]
  • Seven Droopy shorts on VHS as The Adventures of Droopy released in 1989.
  • Six Droopy shorts on VHS as Here Comes Droopy! released on October 10, 1990.[22]
  • Four Droopy shorts on VHS as Droopy and Company released on February 29, 1992.[23]
  • Seventeen Droopy shorts on LaserDisc as The Compleat Tex Avery released on January 13, 1993.[24]
  • On May 15, 2007, Warner Home Video released all of Droopy's MGM cartoons on DVD as Tex Avery's Droopy: The Complete Theatrical Collection, complete and uncut.[25] The seven Droopy cartoons produced in CinemaScope were released in their original widescreen versions, instead of the pan and scan versions regularly broadcast on television.[26]
  • On February 18, 2020, four Droopy shorts appeared uncut and digitally restored in HD on Tex Avery Screwball Classics: Volume 1 Blu-ray from Warner Archive Collection.[27] An additional six Droopy cartoons appeared uncut and digitally restored on Tex Avery Screwball Classics: Volume 2 released on December 15, 2020. An additional five Droopy cartoons appeared uncut and digitally restored on Tex Avery Screwball Classics: Volume 3 released on October 5, 2021.

These cartoons can also be found as extras on DVDs of classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films of the period:

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Droopy

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Droopy is an anthropomorphic white cartoon character renowned for his droopy face, lethargic demeanor, and deadpan delivery, created by animator for (MGM) theatrical shorts. Debuting in the 1943 short , Droopy serves as a calm, unflappable protagonist who consistently outsmarts frantic antagonists through understated cleverness, embodying a stark contrast to the high-energy style of contemporary cartoons. Voiced primarily by Bill Thompson, whose performance drew from his radio role as the meek Wallace Wimple, the character features a signature catchphrase—"You know what? I'm happy"—delivered in a monotone that underscores his imperturbable nature, evoking the stoic persona of silent film comedian . Avery directed 18 of Droopy's 24 total shorts between 1943 and 1956, with the remaining six helmed by Michael Lah after Avery's departure from , concluding the series in 1958 when the studio shuttered its animation department. Notable entries include (1946), where Droopy pursues a fugitive with relentless persistence, and (1957), showcasing his medieval escapades. The character's enduring appeal lies in his subversion of animation norms—minimal movement and expression amplifying comedic tension against over-the-top foes—revived in later media such as a 1988 cameo in and guest spots in modern revivals.

Character Overview

Physical Appearance and Design

Droopy is portrayed as a short, white-furred anthropomorphic characterized by long, floppy ears, sagging jowls, and large, droopy eyes that convey a perpetually melancholic expression, directly inspiring the character's name and core visual identity. In his 1943 debut short , Droopy's initial design featured baggy pants, a red , and a small hat, crafted by character designer Irving Levine and animated by under director Tex Avery's supervision to emphasize a relaxed, unassuming posture. Throughout the MGM shorts, Droopy's design underwent subtle evolutions, such as occasional variations in ear length or tailored clothing to suit specific gags—like Western attire in later entries—while preserving the fundamental "sad sack" aesthetic rooted in the breed's naturally forlorn features and low-slung build. This consistent visual style facilitated Droopy's humor by allowing exaggerated facial distortions and body stretches in reaction shots, which starkly contrasted his otherwise unflappable, laid-back demeanor and amplified the surprise element in Avery's gag-driven narratives.

Personality Traits and Catchphrases

Droopy is characterized as a slow-talking, unflappable whose demeanor remains unchanged amid escalating chaos, often surprising antagonists with unexpected bursts of strength or speed despite his lethargic appearance. This imperturbable attitude serves as a comedic foil to the frenetic energy of his adversaries, such as the aggressive , allowing him to outwit them through quiet persistence rather than overt action. His droopy features visually reinforce this stoic personality, amplifying the irony of his calm responses to . Central to Droopy's appeal are his iconic catchphrases, delivered in a monotone voice that underscores ironic understatement, such as "You know what? I'm happy" to express without visible , or "You know what? That makes me mad" before unleashing surprising retaliation. These lines, originating in his 1940s MGM shorts directed by , highlight his subtle humor through verbal minimalism, contrasting sharply with the visual exaggeration typical of Avery's screwball style. Droopy's traits evolved across his series, beginning as a passive observer in early appearances like the 1943 short , where he relentlessly pursues a fugitive in a low-key manner, to a more proactive hero by the late . In Señor Droopy (1949), his fifth short and the first to name him onscreen, he adopts the role of a competing for a prize, demonstrating adaptability and heroic resolve while retaining his signature slow speech and unflinching calm. This progression reflects Avery's refinement of the character as an who subverts expectations, effortlessly triumphing over more boisterous foes through understated cleverness rooted in the director's anarchic comedy tradition.

Creation and Production

Origins with Tex Avery

Droopy was conceived by animator during his tenure at (MGM) studios, debuting as an unnamed supporting character in the 1943 short film . In this debut, the character—a laconic —serves as a straight-man foil to the frenetic, escaped convict , relentlessly pursuing him with unflinching calm amid escalating chaos. Avery drew inspiration for Droopy from his earlier work at , where he experimented with slow-paced, deadpan humor in characters contrasting high-energy antics, as well as from real-life hounds whose naturally droopy features and melancholic demeanor informed the . A key influence was the "mush-mouth" voice of Wallace Wimple, a meek character from the radio comedy performed by Bill Thompson; Avery envisioned a similarly passive, unassuming figure who could subvert expectations through quiet persistence. The character's conceptual intent was to parody the archetypal tough-guy detectives and underdogs prevalent in and traditions, with Droopy embodying passive resistance that ultimately outwits more aggressive foes—a twist on narratives where subtlety triumphs over bombast. This approach presented early development challenges at , where the studio favored rapid-fire gags and visual spectacle; Avery worked to integrate Droopy's understated timing without overwhelming the fast-paced animation norms, refining the concept across initial shorts. These iterations culminated in the character's official naming in his fifth short, Señor Droopy (1949), though earlier publicity materials had variably labeled him "Droopy" or "Happy Hound" since 1943. In collaboration with animators like Preston Blair, Avery solidified Droopy's role as a recurring lead, balancing his low-key persona with MGM's dynamic style.

Development at MGM

Droopy's development at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) occurred within the studio's animation division, overseen by producer Fred Quimby from 1937 to 1955, where it was produced concurrently with the acclaimed Tom and Jerry series as part of MGM's efficient "unit system" that assigned directors like Tex Avery to independent creative teams for streamlined short-film output. This system enabled Avery, who had conceived Droopy as a laid-back basset hound foil to his more manic characters, to helm the character's debut in the 1943 short Dumb-Hounded and direct the majority of the 24 theatrical Droopy shorts released between 1943 and 1958. Quimby's oversight provided Avery with substantial creative freedom, fostering a production environment that emphasized exaggerated humor and visual gags, though budget constraints and studio politics occasionally influenced pacing and content. Team dynamics at highlighted close collaboration among key personnel, with writer Heck Allen contributing storyboards and scripts that captured Droopy's deadpan wit against chaotic antagonists, while animator Grant Simmons and others like Ray Patterson executed the fluid, hand-drawn cel animation essential to the era's techniques. These methods involved layering transparent cels over painted backgrounds to create dynamic contrasts, allowing Droopy's subtle facial expressions—minimal blinks and sagging jowls—to stand out amid high-energy action sequences and perspective shifts. Avery's unit, comprising about a dozen artists, operated with a rhythm of rapid story conferences and iterative pencil tests, producing roughly one short every few months until his sabbatical in 1950 due to overwork. Production milestones marked shifts in Droopy's evolution, including Avery's temporary replacement by Dick Lundy for the 1952 short Caballero Droopy during the sabbatical, after which Avery returned to direct until Deputy Droopy in 1955. Following Avery's departure in 1955, direction passed to Michael Lah for several shorts and then to and , leading to more formulaic chase structures that prioritized repetitive gags over Avery's innovative twists. In the 1950s, upgraded select Droopy productions to widescreen format for enhanced visual immersion, building on the studio's consistent use of three-strip to deliver vibrant palettes that amplified the character's ironic calm amid escalating mayhem. These adaptations reflected broader industry trends toward theatrical spectacle, though the core hand-drawn process remained unchanged, emphasizing Droopy's understated design for comedic effect.

Voice and Portrayal

Bill Thompson's Performance

Bill Thompson served as the original and primary voice actor for Droopy in the () theatrical shorts, providing the character's signature vocal performance across most of the series' 24 entries from 1943 to 1958, specifically in 1943, 1945, and 1949–1958. His service in the during interrupted his work from 1945 to 1949, during which voiced Droopy in several shorts (1943, 1945–1946, 1955), along with (1949–1950, 1956) and (1955). A veteran of radio and , Thompson had gained prominence through his work on the long-running comedy series , where he portrayed the timid, henpecked Wallace Wimple, a role that directly inspired Droopy's vocal style. Director , recognizing the potential in Thompson's wheedling, nasal timbre, adapted it for the animated , instructing the actor to deliver lines in a slower, more subdued monotone to emphasize Droopy's unflappable demeanor. This delivery, marked by deliberate pacing and minimal inflection, contrasted sharply with the frenetic action of the shorts, amplifying the humor through ironic and earning Thompson acclaim for his precise vocal restraint in a medium often dominated by exaggerated expressions. During recordings at studios, Thompson collaborated closely with Avery to synchronize Droopy's dialogue with the director's precise timing and visual gags, often adjusting delivery on the spot to fit the animation's rhythm when he was available. Iconic lines, such as the understated threat "You know what? That makes me mad!", exemplified this process, where Thompson's calm intonation built tension before explosive payoffs, contributing to the character's enduring appeal in his voiced shorts. He incorporated subtle vocal variations for comedic effect, including occasional pitch shifts to convey surprise or multiplicity in gags, as heard in entries like Droopy's Double Trouble (1951), where the voice modulates to distinguish cloned versions of the character. Thompson's tenure as a Disney voice artist, including roles like the bumbling Mr. Smee in Peter Pan (1953), informed his approach to Droopy, blending his experience with affable, understated characters to define the dog's ironic calm amid chaos. His final Droopy recording occurred in 1958 with Droopy Leprechaun, after which he shifted focus to Disney projects until his death from septic shock on July 15, 1971, at age 58.

Later Voice Actors

Don Messick first voiced Droopy as a substitute in MGM shorts during 1949–1950 and 1956, and after Bill Thompson's death in 1971, he assumed the role in Hanna-Barbera productions, beginning with the character's appearances in The Tom and Jerry Show (1975), where Messick delivered a monotone delivery reminiscent of Thompson's original but infused with a slightly brighter, more animated energy to suit the era's television format. Messick's portrayal maintained the character's signature deadpan demeanor while adapting it for ensemble casts alongside Tom and Jerry, appearing in segments that highlighted Droopy's unflappable problem-solving style. In the 1980s and 1990s, Messick continued voicing Droopy in several revivals under Hanna-Barbera, including The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show (1980–1982), where the character featured in chases and comedic foils, and later in Tom & Jerry Kids (1990–1993) and the spin-off series Droopy, Master Detective (1993), portraying Droopy as a bumbling yet effective detective alongside his son Dripple. Messick also provided the voice for Droopy's cameo in the direct-to-video feature Tom and Jerry: The Movie (1992), a brief appearance that echoed the classic MGM shorts but integrated into the film's narrative of adventure and rivalry. These iterations emphasized Droopy's laconic wit in family-friendly TV contexts, with Messick's versatile range allowing seamless blending into group dynamics. Subsequent modern appearances shifted to other performers as assumed control of the cartoon library through Turner's 1986 acquisition and the 1996 merger, influencing casting decisions amid evolving production demands. In (2006–2008), Droopy was voiced by Don Brown in season 1 and in season 2, who aimed to preserve the original's subdued pacing while amplifying expressiveness for younger audiences. In more recent productions as of 2025, Droopy has appeared in The Show (2014), voiced by , and in films such as : Back to Oz (2016), voiced by , and : and the Chocolate Factory (2017), voiced by . Recasting challenges have arisen from balancing fidelity to Thompson's benchmark monotone—characterized by its slow, wry understatement—against updates for contemporary , often requiring actors to navigate legal rights transitions and stylistic evolutions for releases.

Media Appearances

Theatrical Short Films

Droopy's theatrical short films consist of 24 animated shorts produced by from 1943 to 1958, primarily showcasing the character in comedic confrontations with anthropomorphic wolf antagonists. These films, typically lasting 6 to 7 minutes, were directed mainly by , who helmed 17 entries (including co-directions), followed by Michael Lah with 5 solo entries (plus co-directions), and one by Dick Lundy. The series emphasized visual gags, irony, and Droopy's unflappable demeanor triumphing over more aggressive foes. The following table presents a chronological filmography of the shorts, including release dates, directors, and brief plot summaries.
TitleRelease DateDirector(s)Plot Summary
Dumb-HoundedMarch 20, 1943Tex AveryAn escaped convict wolf is relentlessly pursued by a diminutive basset hound deputy across various locales.
The Shooting of Dan McGooMarch 3, 1945Tex AveryIn a Klondike saloon parody, the basset hound protects a singer from a drunken wolf prospector.
Wild and WoolfyNovember 3, 1945Tex AveryThe basset hound foils a wolf bank robber's schemes in a Western town.
Northwest Hounded PoliceAugust 3, 1946Tex AveryA wolf fugitive is tracked by the persistent basset hound Mountie through Canadian wilderness.
Señor DroopyApril 9, 1949Tex AveryDroopy competes against a wolf matador for the affections of a Spanish dancer in a bullfight setting.
Wags to RichesAugust 13, 1949Tex AveryDroopy inherits a fortune from a millionaire, prompting a jealous wolf to attempt murder for the inheritance.
Out-FoxedNovember 5, 1949Tex AveryDroopy joins a fox hunt, outmaneuvering a sly fox that evades the other hounds.
The Chump ChampNovember 4, 1950Tex AveryDroopy and a wolf compete in a series of sports events to determine a championship winner.
Daredevil DroopyMarch 3, 1951Tex AveryDroopy takes on daring circus stunts to impress a female dog, besting a boastful wolf performer.
Droopy's Good DeedMay 5, 1951Tex AveryDroopy strives to earn a Boy Scout badge by performing good deeds, thwarting a wolf's sabotage.
Droopy's Double TroubleNovember 17, 1951Tex AveryDroopy and his muscular twin brother Drippy battle a pirate wolf and his crew on a ship.
Caballero DroopySeptember 27, 1952Dick LundyDroopy vies with a wolf for a senorita's hand in old California through song and dance.
The Three Little PupsDecember 26, 1953Tex AveryDroopy and his three pups defend their home from a persistent wolf intruder in a Three Little Pigs parody.
Drag-A-Long DroopyFebruary 20, 1954Tex AveryDroopy herds sheep across the prairie, outsmarting a wolf rustler along the way.
Homesteader DroopyJuly 10, 1954Tex AveryDroopy claims a gold-rich homestead, fending off a scheming wolf claim-jumper.
Dixieland DroopyDecember 4, 1954Tex AveryDroopy directs a jazz band of fleas infesting a hound dog at an outdoor concert.
Deputy DroopyOctober 28, 1955Tex Avery, Michael LahDroopy serves as deputy sheriff, guarding a safe from a gang of wolf outlaws.
Millionaire DroopySeptember 21, 1956Tex Avery, Michael LahA CinemaScope remake of "Wags to Riches," with Droopy inheriting wealth and evading a murderous wolf.
Grin and Share ItMay 17, 1957Michael LahDroopy and a bulldog prospector clash over a gold mine in the Klondike.
Blackboard JumbleOctober 5, 1957Michael LahDroopy's pups cause chaos in school until Droopy intervenes against a bullying wolf teacher.
One Droopy KnightDecember 6, 1957Michael LahDroopy quests to slay a dragon and rescue a princess from a black knight wolf. This short was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons).
Sheep WreckedFebruary 8, 1958Michael LahDroopy shepherds sheep from a hungry Southern-accented wolf in a pasture standoff.
Mutts About RacingApril 5, 1958Michael LahDroopy and a bulldog compete in a greyhound race filled with sabotage and tricks.
Droopy LeprechaunJuly 5, 1958Michael LahOn a trip to Ireland, Droopy chases a leprechaun guarding a pot of gold from a greedy wolf.
A recurring archetype in these shorts features the wolf as a bombastic antagonist engaged in futile chases or rivalries, exemplified by "The Three Little Pups" (1953), where the wolf's repeated break-in attempts are foiled by Droopy's pups' ingenuity. Droopy consistently emerges victorious through understated cleverness or abrupt displays of physical prowess, contrasting his otherwise passive and melancholic persona to heighten the humor. Thematically, the series progressed from Droopy's anonymous debut in "," where he operated as a generic enforcer, to fully named appearances in parodies. Early entries focused on pursuit gags, while later ones incorporated Western motifs, as in "Drag-A-Long Droopy" (1954), and satirical takes on and competitions, such as "The Chump Champ" (1950). This evolution reflected MGM's shift toward more structured narratives while retaining Avery's signature absurdity. One Droopy Knight (1957) was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons), highlighting the series' critical recognition during its peak.

Cameos and Guest Roles

Droopy's non-lead appearances in other animated works are relatively infrequent, reflecting his specialized appeal as a laid-back antagonist-overcomer, typically deployed for brief humorous contrasts in ensemble or crossover settings. During the later years of MGM's , Droopy made a cameo in the short "Matinee Mouse" (1966), appearing briefly in a theater audience amid the chaos of 's antics. Following MGM's closure of its cartoon division in 1957, Droopy continued to appear in Hanna-Barbera productions tied to the Tom and Jerry franchise. In the 1980s, he featured in dedicated guest segments of The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show (1980), where he often clashed with a wolf antagonist in self-contained stories, sometimes alongside a young son named Dripple. Similar guest spots occurred in Tom & Jerry Kids (1990–1993), including the episode "Droopy and Dripple," emphasizing family dynamics in chases and gags. In crossover films, Droopy gained renewed visibility through his role in the hybrid live-action/animation feature (1988), where he operated an elevator in Toontown and delivered the deadpan line, "Going up, sir?" This elevated his profile among classic cartoon characters. He repeated elevator duty in the short Tummy Trouble (1989) and appeared as a theatrical tying to rollercoaster tracks in Roller Coaster Rabbit (1990). Droopy's integrations into features became more common in the 1990s and 2000s, such as a supporting role in : The Movie (1992) and aiding the protagonists by driving an escape bus in : The Magic Ring (2002). He also guested in episodes of (2006–2008), often providing understated support in multi-character escapades. In video games, Droopy made guest nods in crossover titles, appearing as a minor non-playable character in the multiplayer brawler (2009), where he joined other and icons in a fusion-fighting . These sparse cameos underscore Droopy's use for nostalgic humor and slow-burn reactions within larger casts, rather than central narratives.

Television Adaptations

Droopy's first significant television appearances came in the early 1980s through Associates' production of 16 new animated shorts integrated into The Comedy Show, which aired on ABC from September 6, 1980, to September 4, 1982. In these segments, Droopy was reimagined with a demeanor, often portraying a deputy outwitting antagonists like the in Western-themed escapades, such as Pest in the West and The Treasure of Sierra Droopy, while maintaining his signature slow-paced humor and catchphrase delivery. Voiced by , these lower-budget shorts marked Droopy's transition from theatrical shorts to serialized TV narratives, blending chases with comedic rivalries alongside segments. In the 1990s, revived Droopy as the lead in the dedicated series , which premiered on on September 18, 1993, and ran for one season comprising 13 half-hour episodes. Directed by and , the show positioned Droopy and his son Dripple as bumbling yet effective private investigators in a noir-inspired city, solving cases involving villains like the Fox and the Marmalade Gang, with supporting characters including a sarcastic secretary and a dim-witted sidekick. The series, produced in traditional 2D animation, satirized detective tropes and featured guest voices from actors like , emphasizing comedy for Saturday morning audiences. Droopy made recurring guest appearances in Warner Bros. Animation's , a 2006–2008 series that aired on , spanning 26 episodes with Droopy featured in at least five segments across the run. In episodes like "A Life Less Guarded" (2007) and "Endless Bummer" (2007), Droopy competed against Tom in and contests, respectively, showcasing his unflappable wit and physical prowess in scenarios. Produced using digital 2D animation, these spots highlighted Warner Bros.' shift toward modern reboots that retained classic influences while appealing to contemporary viewers through streamlined storytelling. By the 2020s, Droopy's TV presence has largely shifted to streaming platforms under , with classic shorts and select adaptations available on Max (formerly HBO Max) as part of curated collections. This resurgence includes archival revivals and occasional cameos in new specials, underscoring a focus on family-oriented digital content, though no standalone Droopy series has emerged since the .

Legacy and Influence

Critical Reception

Upon its debut in the 1943 short , Droopy was praised by animation enthusiasts for Tex Avery's innovative use of timing and visual gags, which contrasted sharply with the era's more boisterous styles prevalent in and productions. The character's demeanor and ironic triumphs over more aggressive antagonists, such as the escaped wolf in early shorts, highlighted Avery's mastery of rapid pacing and surreal humor, setting Droopy apart as a subversive figure in MGM's output. Droopy's shorts received recognition for their excellence, with One Droopy Knight (1957) earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film, underscoring the series' technical and comedic achievements under producers William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. While contemporary theatrical reviews were sparse compared to feature films, the shorts' popularity during the 1940s golden age of animation contributed to MGM's strong box-office performance for its cartoon program, which drew large audiences to theaters as supporting acts. In retrospective analyses, animation historians have lauded Droopy's enduring appeal, with John Canemaker noting Avery's evolution of the character as a pinnacle of MGM's creative peak. The deadpan humor pioneered by Droopy influenced later works, including the series Animaniacs, where characters like Yakko, Wakko, and Dot echo his imperturbable wit and ironic underdog victories. Modern compilations, such as the 2007 DVD set Tex Avery's Droopy: The Complete Theatrical Collection, have been hailed by critics as essential for their preservation of the series' timeless gags and cultural significance. The 1993–94 television series , produced by for , revived the character as a noirish alongside his son Dripple but received mixed responses, with a 6.3/10 rating, for diluting Avery's original edge with more conventional episodic storytelling in its single-season run of 13 episodes.

Cultural Impact and Revivals

Droopy's demeanor and unflappable resilience have left a lasting mark on and broader pop , inspiring a lineage of understated, underdog characters that subvert expectations through quiet determination. His influence is evident in the of the slow-witted yet triumphant , echoing elements of Buster Keaton's stone-faced in live-action films, which drew upon to craft Droopy's signature style. This conceptual foundation has permeated modern media, where similar laconic figures appear in shows emphasizing ironic humor and unexpected victories, reinforcing Droopy's role in challenging the hyperactive norms of cartoons. Parodies and homages have kept Droopy relevant, often highlighting his iconic catchphrases like "You know what? That makes me mad" for comedic effect. A notable example is a 1999 promotional bumper featuring Droopy alongside Shaggy from in a of the "Royale with Cheese" scene from , blending Droopy's monotone delivery with pop culture to promote programming. In the digital age, Droopy has thrived as a template, particularly the "DroopyHappy Hound" format originating from his 1943 debut short , which gained traction on platforms like 4chan's /co/ board and spread via since 2017, often used to depict sudden shifts from melancholy to absurd triumph. Post-2000 revivals have revitalized Droopy through television, gaming, and merchandise, ensuring his accessibility to new generations. He made recurring guest appearances in The Tom and Jerry Tales (2006–2008), integrating seamlessly into the chaotic world of his contemporaries while retaining his signature lethargy, as seen in episodes like "A Life Less Guarded" where he outsmarts Tom as a lifeguard. The 2002 title Droopy's Open revived him as a playable character in a sports simulation, emphasizing his competitive edge in tennis matches. Ongoing apparel and collectibles on platforms like and capitalize on nostalgic demand. Warner Home Video's 2007 DVD set, Tex Avery's Droopy: The Complete Theatrical Collection, further cemented his archival legacy, while recent streaming availability on platforms like HBO Max has introduced him to contemporary audiences. Droopy's enduring symbolism as a resilient has been explored in recent documentaries, underscoring his impact on breaking stereotypes of frantic pacing. The 2024 YouTube documentary "Tex Avery's Straight Man: The Story of Droopy" examines his role in Avery's oeuvre, portraying him as a subversive force against bombastic villains. Similarly, the 2025 film "Tex Avery: The King of Cartoons" highlights Droopy's contributions to character-driven humor, influencing how modern creators depict quiet strength in pop culture narratives. These works affirm Droopy's timeless appeal, positioning him as an icon of composure amid chaos.

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